Join the summer fun with some scares on sunny days, where evil lurks in the shadows.
Updated April 29, 2026
While it may seem that dark and gloomy settings for horror films are most effective, these summer horror films, prove that horror films set during summertime and sometimes with full daylight can be scary as well, maybe even scarier, because the contrast is bigger.
In summer you expect to be cheerful, to have fun, being carefree, because the sun is shining and everything is all right. That is, until it isn’t.
Until a serial killer roams a small town, or a masked killer is out for revenge, or a creepy cult celebrates summer with some nice sacrifices. Maybe the house you’ve rented for the holidays is haunted and instead of bringing you peace and joy, sucks the life out of you. Or you are having a nice time on a boat on the ocean, and then suddenly the boat sinks and you’re stuck on an island with a deadly creature.
Summer can be fun and carefree, but there’s also a lot of trouble lurking in the shadows. Because the harder the sun shines, the darker the shadows are where evil lies waiting to get you.
I have put together a list of Summer Horror Films that I have watched and personally recommend. It’s not a list with all the summer horror films out there or the best ones, but this is a selection of films that I enjoyed watching.
The list is set up by decade and by year. Starting with the most recent films. Each time I have found a new film within this genre that I highly recommend it will be added to the list.
So save this post for more recommendations.
The list consists of 19 films at the moment.
Marshmallow (2025)
Stars: Kue Lawrence, Kai Cech. Directed by Daneil DelPurgatorio. Written by Andy Greskoviak. (1h 33m)
Genres: summer camp, coming-of-age, science fiction
Morgan is made to go to a summer camp. At the bonfire a scary story about a killer Doctor who lived there once is told, to keep the kids from roaming the camp at night. When Morgan wakes up at night from a nightmare he sees the Doctor, the serial killer from the scary bonfire tale, outside his cabin. Nobody believes him, but the spooky bonfire story might be true after all and now all the campers are in danger.
It starts out very straightforward and you think it builds up towards a summer camp slasher. But the film has a surprising twist although the end offers some slasher vibes. It’s a great story with surreal imagery, a scary villain, a mystery and a great sinister final scene. You can Read the Full Review.
She Came From the Woods (2022)
Stars: Clare Foley, Cara Buono, Dan Leahy.Directed by Erik Bloomquist. Written by Erik Bloomquist, Carson Bloomquist.
Genres: summer camp, witchcraft, slasher, possession, creepy kids, eighties vibe
Camp Briarbrook is closing up for the summer of 1987 and the nine counselors are celebrating that night by summoning Agatha the old camp bonfire urban legend. When they succeed she starts to possess a counselor and a bus full of children who were on their way home. The counselors must find out the truth about Agatha and Camp Briarbrook’s past to stop her.
It’s an entertaining film that, although it starts out with the last of the summer vibes at camp, plays out at night. And instead of counselors getting killed before the kids arrive, now they at least got to enjoy a carefree summer. It’s a ghost revenge story, full of witchcraft, possession, creepy kids and a backstory with a twist.
It Chapter Two (2019)
Stars: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Bill Skarsgård. Directed by Andy Muschietti. Written by Stephen King, Gary Dauberman.
Genres: coming-of-age, supernatural, monster, psychological, creepy clown, summer
It’s 27 years after the kids have defeated Pennywise and now they have to return and have to remember what happened 27 years ago to fight Pennywise again and defeat him once and for all.
This second part focuses on the adults. They each go on a journey through Derry and their own past and remember their own horrifying experiences when they were kids. With flashbacks we are transported back to the past and find out more about that summer 27 years ago as do the adults.
There are some great scary scenes with the many identities of Pennywise that are also very surprising and creative. It’s a good ending to this epic story of seven kids who faced evil and eventually won which started in the most important summer of their lives.
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Midsommar (2019)
Stars: Florence Pugh. Directed & written by Ari Aster. (2h 28m)
Genres: folk horror, art horror, summer
Dani is about to go on a trip to Sweden with her boyfriend Christian and his college friends to a reclusive community in Hårga. The little village seems like an idyllic place, peaceful and quiet and surrounded by beautiful nature, but the community is not what it seems. When the summer festival Midsommar is initiated by a gruesome ritual, things take a sinister turn.
This folk horror has an ominous, foreboding atmosphere enhanced by rituals and symbols. It’s a gruesome film and not a very comfortable watch. And while it plays out completely in the daylight, it isn’t any less scary. This film proves you don’t need the dark and shadows to make a very scary and terrifying horror film. Fun fact is that although it is set during the day, the sun is never seen. You can Read the Full Review.
Sweetheart (2019)
Stars: Kiersey Clemons. Directed by J.D. Dillard. Written by J.D. Dillard, Alex Hyner, Alex Theurer. (1h 22m)
Genres: creature feature, symbolism, psychological horror, summer
Jennifer washes up at a deserted beach of a small island after the boat she was on with her friends sank. But she is not alone. At night a sea creature roams the island looking for her. It’s a survival story that also tells another story between the lines about Jennifer herself. She has to fight a real monster and all the ugly monsters in her head and even human monsters too.
The beach and scenery gives off tropical vibes, but it is anything but a nice beach vacation. It’s a small, introvert film that uses real threats as symbols for mental threats. You can Read the Full Review.
Us (2019)
Stars: Kiersey Clemons. Directed by J.D. Dillard. Written by J.D. Dillard, Alex Hyner, Alex Theurer. (1h 22m)
Genres: creature feature, symbolism, psychological horror, summer
Jennifer washes up at a deserted beach of a small island after the boat she was on with her friends sank. But she is not alone. At night a sea creature roams the island looking for her. It’s a survival story that also tells another story between the lines about Jennifer herself. She has to fight a real monster and all the ugly monsters in her head and even human monsters too.
The beach and scenery gives off tropical vibes, but it is anything but a nice beach vacation. It’s a small, introvert film that uses real threats as symbols for mental threats.
Summer of 84 (2018)
Stars: Graham Verchere, Judah Lewis, Caleb Emery, Cory Gruter-Andrew, Tiera Skobye. Directed by François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell. Written by Matt Leslie, Stephen J. Smith
Genres: slasher, mystery, coming-of-age, eighties vibe, summer
The last ten years 13 children have disappeared in Cape May, the hometown of Davey and his friends Dale, Curtis and Tommy. He suspects his neighbor might be the killer but his friends don’t believe him. When another boy goes missing who was seen by Davey in his neighbor’s house, they start to investigate with dangerous consequences.
Although it starts out as a summer coming-of-age mystery, the ending takes a sinister turn, that is quite shocking. It’s not a epic heroic story about children who save the day, but a far more realistic take on a serial killer in a small town.
You Might be the Killer (2018)
Stars: Fran Kranz, Alyson Hannigan. Directed by Brett Simons. Written by Thomas P. Vitale. Brett Simmons, Covis Berzoyne. (1h 32m)
Genres: slasher, comedy, summer camp
From an empty summer camp with only the counselors, a bloodied Sam calls his friend Chuck who knows everything about horror. Because a masked killer has killed almost all the counselors and is now after him. It all began with an urban legend about an evil spirit.
This is a slasher with not only an original take on the masked killer, but also the narrative is very fun, creative and original. The characters are, apart from Sam and Chuck who’s only on the phone with Sam, only there to be stereotype slasher victims, which is intentional, but aren’t that important. The film mostly is a meta-slasher that tries to uncover the rules and the backstory to prevent more murders, and does this in a very fun and playful way.
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This design of a Cat Skull with vintage colors is made with pen and a pointillism technique and alcohol markers. You can buy this design on a Rib Racer Tank Top and other apparel in my shop at Printify.
It Chapter One (2017)
Stars: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard, Sophia Lillis. Directed by Andy Muschietti. Written by Chase Palmer, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Gary Dauberman. (2h 15m)
Genres: coming-of-age, supernatural, monster, creepy clown, eighties vibe, summer
In the summer of 1989 seven children have to face an ancient evil that has terrorized their hometown Derry every 27 years. Now It, disguised as Pennywise the Clown, is back and takes children for their life essence. If they face it together they have a chance of defeating evil.
While the book (1986) and tv-mini-series (1990) are set in the summer of 1960, this summer is set during 1989, which is a big difference in nostalgic feel. This film has a genuine eighties vibe and there is more focus on Pennywise which makes it more scary, but with a less ominous atmosphere. This first part focuses on the children who have the most important summer of their lives. You can Read the Full Review.
The Final Girls (2015)
Stars: Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerma. Directed by Todd Strauss-schulson. Written by M.A. Fortin, Joshua John Miller. (1h 31m)
Genres: summer camp, retro, slasher, feel good, comedy, eighties vibe
In this very original summer camp slasher, Max and her friends are, due to a magical glitch, transported into an eighties slasher film in which her mother played the final girl. The film however is a reality on its own.
This film is a hilarious blast with laughing out loud scenes, great actresses, a good story that is funny and original. The films plays with all the cliches and stereotypes of the eighties, has a scary killer and most importantly has a big heart without being sentimental. It’s also very funny how the stereotype characters of Camp Bloodbath interact with each other but also with the friends who are trapped who very soon find out that they are not mere observers but also potential victims now they have joined the cast.
The Bay (2012)
Stars: Kether Donohue. Directed by Barry Levinson. Written by Michael Wallach, Barry Levinson. (1h 25m)
Genres: eco horror, found footage/mockumentary, body horror, aquatic horror, summer
In the small town of Claridge, Maryland something terrible happens during the festivities of the Fourth of July. Everybody is having fun in or near the water. Donna Thompson is reporting the celebration but soon finds herself in a town full of panicked people, chaos and a strange virus or disease that’s spreading fast through the water with horrifying consequences. Now three years later she has collected footage from that day to tell the truth about what happened.
It’s told in a very realistic way, how the events unfold, but when hell really breaks loose it turns into a body horror gore festival. Yet, still it’s all shot in a realistic way and therefore feels like a genuine documentary of found footage with an important message.
The Ruins (2008)
Stars: Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, Jonathan Tucker, Laura Ramsey, Joe Anderson. Directed by Carter Smith. Witten by Scott B. Smith. (1h 30m)
Genres: eco horror, psychological, body horror, summer
Five friends on vacation in Mexico go into the jungle. They find an ancient Maya ruin and hostile villagers who won’t let them go once they have touched the vines growing on the Maya ruin. They climb up the ruin to find an abandoned camp and a strange hole in the ground. They are trapped by the villagers and the dangers from the vines are making the situation dire and deadly.
It’s a film with a few characters and a set location, that focuses on the psychological and physically dangerous part of being trapped with no way out, not much food and water and only each other to rely on. The atmosphere is tense and the deadly vines are cause for a supernatural eco vibe and some gruesome body horror.
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
Stars: Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Bandy Norwood, Mekhi Phifer, Matthew Settle. Directed by Danny Cannon. Written by Lois Duncan, Trey Callaway (1h 40m)
Genres: slasher, summer
It’s been a year since Julie and Ray survived the attacks of the Fisherman killer. They have unmasked him and supposedly killed him. But is he really dead? Julie is at college when her friend and roommate Karla wins a trip to the Bahamas for the Fourth of July. She invites her boyfriend Tyrell, Julie, and a friend Will. The four of them arrive at the hotel only to find out that it’s the last day of the season and rain and storm season starts now. But the weather won’t be their only concern when the Fisherman killer seems to have followed Julie to the island to finish the job.
A nice sequel that is set on a tropical island without the sun and summer vibes, but with a ruthless killer who is still out for revenge. You can Read who the Killer is.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Stars: Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe. Directed by Jim Gillespie. Written by Lois Duncan, Kevin Williamson. (1h 41m)
Genres: slasher, summer
On the night of the Fourth of July, Julie, her boyfriend Ray, her friend Helen and her boyfriend Barry drive to the beach to celebrate. On their way back they hit a person who came out of nowhere. To hide their accidental crime they throw the man into the sea. A year later Julie and her friends find notes that say ‘I know what you did last summer’ and suddenly their lives are in danger, when a person dressed in a raincoat wielding a fish hook starts to kill them off one by one.
A simple but fun teen slasher about kids who made a deadly mistake, and have to pay for it with their lives. Summer, slasher, teens, and a scenery by the sea, create a killer summer vibe. You can Read who the Killer is.
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It (1990)
Stars: Tim Curry, Richard Thomas, Tim Reid, Annette O’Toole. Harry Anderson, Dennis Christopher, John Ritter. Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace. Written by Stephen King, Tommy Lee Wallace, Lawrence D. Cohen. (3h 12m)
Genres: coming-of-age, supernatural, monster, creepy clown, sixties vibe, summer
In the summer of 1960 seven children, Bill, Beverly, Ben, Eddie, Richie, Mike and Stan have to take it up against an ancient evil that terrorizes their hometown Derry every 27 years. It disguises itself as Pennywise the Clown and other abominations that represent the kid’s fears and kidnaps children to eat their life essence. Together the kids must face their own fears and make a promise that if It ever comes back they will end It once and for all.
The story switches between the summer of 1960 when the kids first faced Pennywise and 27 years later. It’s an epic coming-of-age story about seven outcasts who find each other and how that summer affected their lives. With a nostalgic atmosphere and atmospheric scares, this film/mini-series feels very true to the book.
Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Stars: Melissa Rose. Directed & written by Robert Hiltzik. (1h 24m)
Genres: summer camp, dysfunctional family, slasher
After a boating accident Angela’s father and brother are killed and she has to live with her eccentric aunt and her cousin. In the summer they are both sent to Camp Arawak, but Angela is very introverted and doesn’t belong and she is bullied even by the counselors. Things get even more horrifying when a killer romans the camping grounds.
This isn’t a mere slasher at a summer camp but a film that features themes like trauma, a dysfunctional family, bullying, belonging, and gender identity. It is debatable if these themes, especially gender identity are discussed and explored or exploited and used as a shock value. Nevertheless it has a unique killer although the reveal was used for shock value that nullifies the potential message. It also has a bold narrative and perspective where the lines between antagonist and protagonist are blurred.
Tourist Trap (1979)
Stars: Chuck Conners, Jocelyn Jones, Jon Van Ness, Robin Sherwood, Tanya Roberts. Directed by David Schmoeller. Written by David Schmoeller, J. Larry Carroll (1h 30m)
Genres: slasher, supernatural, creepy dolls, summer
Five young people are on a summer trip, cooling off in a small lake and having fun, until their car breaks down. When it gets dark they take shelter in a strange museum full of mechanical mannequins run by a man called Mr Slausen while they wait for help. But someone roams the area and has some sinister plans for the five friends.
It’s a great slasher with typical seventies vibes and summer vibes, full of forebodings which are happily ignored. The mannequins are very creepy, the story behind them might be even creepier, but what the killer has in mind is the creepiest. The darker it gets outside, the more sinister it gets and the ending even has a supernatural and surreal twist. You can Read the Full Review.
Hausu (1977)
Stars: Kimiko Ikegami, Miki Jinbo, Kumiko Ôba, Ai Matsubara, Mieko Satô, Eriko Tanaka, Massayo Miyako. Directed by Nobuhiko Ôbayashi. Written by Chiho Katsura, Chigumi Ôbayashi (1h 28m)
Genres: haunted house, slasher, asian horror, comedy, art horror, summer
Gorgeous and her friends Sweet, Melody, Kung Fu, Prof, Mac and Fantasy are going to spend the summer holidays with her aunt in the countryside. All seems nice and great, until one of the girls disappears and something seems terribly wrong with the house. It turns out the aunt is a witch and the house is alive killing all the girls in grotesque, bizarre and most original ways. Like with a grandfather’s clock, a piano that swallows a girl, a dangerous well and much more dangerous supernatural deathtraps.
The film is unique and has a cartoonish style, full with surreal effects and colorful imagery. The summer vibes are mostly apparent in the beginning when they wait for the bus and the scenery is very cartoonish, colorful and full of sunny summer vibes. You can Read the Full Review.
Burnt Offerings (1976)
Stars: Karen Black, Oliver Reed, Bette Davis. Directed by Dan Curtis. Written by Robert Marasco, William F. Nolan, Dan Curtis. (1h 56m)
Genres: haunted house, gothic, supernatural, summer
The Rolf family wants to spend the summer at the countryside instead of in the sweltering heat of the city. They rent a wonderful mansion with a pantry full of food, a pool, a beach, and they only have to bring food every day to an old woman who lives in one of the rooms. Everything seems fine and they all have fun in the pool, until they start to act strange.
It starts out as an idyllic tranquil vacation, the perfect location to spend the summer, but slowly it falls into madness and decay and the Rolf family slowly falls apart. It’s a gothic tale that uses surreal images and psychological horror to scare and it does a great job. You can Read the Full Review.
Explore more Lists of Horror Films:
- The List of Christmas Horror Films
- The List of Creepy Dolls in Horror Films
- The List of Halloween Horror Films
- The List of Winter Horror Films
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